Patched Pink Patterned Planter

The Find

Thank goodness for people who leave the broken parts with the rest, so that someone could fix it if they wanted. That was the case when I found this large planter with a cool patterned exterior a few weeks ago.

Broken planter, overhead view

Broken planter, side view

I liked the patterns on the outside that reminded me of cuneiform. So even though it was heavy (as large ceramics tend to be), I'm glad I muscled up and carried it home from the neatly arranged trash pile.

The Repair

My friend already had some epoxy on hand.  The brand has worn off the labels, but the epoxy is the kind the is stored in two bottles, you have to mix Part A and Part B together on a mixing surface and apply it within a short amount of time.  So after dry-fitting the broken parts to the main planter I got my gloves on and got to the gluing.  No pictures from the epoxy-application portion because I had to work quickly 

The Results

The epoxy dried clear but still 'wet' looking. The epoxied connections felt quite secure after drying for a few hours.  However, I knew I wasn't going to be attempting to stress the repairs. Whenever I move the planter I pick it up by the main, intact, section. 

Repaired planter with epoxy joints, oblique view

Repaired planter, 3 re-attached pieces, top view

Repaired planter, side view

Conclusion

During a different evening walk I had found a large plastic plant pot in someone's discard pile.  I thought it would be perfect to use as a planter stuck in the corner so the logo wouldn't be visible, or perhaps an insert in a cachepot (although I didn't have one at the time). Really I was just looking for more free dirt-holding containers to use for growing strawberries.  But this it fit perfectly inside this pink pot....

 The pink patterned planter does have a drainage hole in the bottom, but I didn't want dirt pressing directly against the side of the pot and potentially stressing the repaired parts.  **Another** happy coincidence was finding a slightly sad, but large, geranium plant on sale for $2.99.  

Repaired planter with plastic insert and geranium plant

The geranium got repotted into the larger white insert and that got placed inside the newly repaired pink patterned planter.

Geranium in newly repaired planter

Happy Freestyling. Don't be afraid to find your own scavenged beauty.

Foxy green ceramic gets epoxy clean dynamic

The Scene

While out on an evening walk I cam across a house that was doing some proper spring cleaning. They had placed some once-lovely broken pottery out on the curbside.  One particular green pot had both vertical and horizontal cracks, but surprisingly no large pieces had fallen away. It took me two trips to carry two broken pots home (more on that second pot later), but oh such satisfying repairs!

Found planter with old dirt and some volunteer sprouts

The Fix

Using some epoxy that my friend already had on hand I decided to see if this pot could be repaired. First I dug out the dirt that was dried up in the pot. Then I ran water over all the cracks, from the inside and from the outside, to try to wash away as much dirt as possible. Although the cracks made it seem like the pieces should come apart, they would not, so I listed to the pot and just rinsed away what I could. Then I let the pot dry in the sunshine.

I don't have photos from the epoxy application because I had gloves on and had to work quickly. Since I could not really move the pieces of the pot that had separated, I decided to try to over-fill the cracks with epoxy to get as much coverage as possible.  

Outside of pot, with epoxy

Inside the repair

Conclusion

The (slightly messy) epoxy repair worked! The cracks were on one side of the pot, so now that the structure of the pot is stable I simply turn the cracked side to the back. Now this discarded pot has a new life as a home for some fragrant rosemary in the (slowly expanding) container garden.  So don't be afraid to repair broken pottery, a little wear and tear can tell an interesting story.  Here is the pot on its first night of its new life.

Ready for rosemary

Happy freestyling!

Tower of Power: Bronzed metal wire shelf

Part 1. Metal wire shelving is the best

My appreciation, perhaps adoration, of metal wire shelving is deeply rooted in my psyche after about a decade of having to move at least once a year.  I appreciate the existence of furniture that is sturdy enough to hold 300 pounds per shelf (at least some brands offer that), simple enough to disassemble or reassemble in about 10 minutes, and lightweight enough that the pieces can be carried by a single person - maybe even all the pieces at the same time.  So if you're a renter, and you need shelving, don't buy some junky fiberboard 'bookshelf' (but by all means get that for free, obvi), but if you must pay for furniture make the wise choice and get some metal wire shelving in a useful size and pleasing finish. I've seen metal wire shelving in chrome/silver, black, white, and dark coppery bronze.

Part 2: Metal wire shelf in dark bronze

I saw this shelf still fully assembled in a trash room, and I was so excited by the size and shape I forgot to take a 'before' picture. oops!  Instead I just started taking it apart, because I knew it could serve nicely in my storage unit if none of my friends wanted it.  However, I texted these pictures to a friend, along with the dimensions and the caveat that one of the plastic shelf support pieces was missing (these can be purchase for $5-8 per set), to see if she wanted a shelf.....

Her response was an enthusiastic YES PLEASE!

Part 3: Conclusion

We arranged a swap that very evening -- and there was a surprise bonus was gift of baked goods at the end of it (something like 1 shelf set-for-four-scones...although things are bit hazy now).  A few days later I got a picture of the reassembled shelf, now taking pride of place in the living room as a home for houseplants.

Plant tower of power

I hope the aloes, pathos, dracaenas, and other plant residents appreciate their elevated view on the world.  And remember, metal wire shelving is so flexible, if you don't want that shelf there is definitely someone else who does

Happy freestling!